Nettleton ousts mayor; Saltillo GOP tabs Smith

NETTLETON – Nettleton residents decisively chose a new mayor Tuesday, giving Jimmy Taylor 72 percent of the vote against incumbent R.V. Adams.
Taylor said it feels good to know the residents want him in office.
“I had a lot of good support from a lot of good friends. It all worked out and now I’m just ready to go to work for the people of the town,” he said. “I think we’ve had a real good clean race and the six years Mr. Adams was in office he did a good job. I think the folks of Nettleton are just ready for a change.”
Adams is proud of his service and hopes Taylor has a good term.
“I’ve enjoyed my five years and four months in office,” he said. “I think I’ve accomplished a lot for Nettleton and I wish Mr. Taylor the best.”
Taylor said in the time before he enters office July 1, he’ll bide his time by learning more about the job.
“I’m sure there will be some orientation and schooling I’ll need to do,” he said. “I’ve got to learn some things about the laws and what you can and can’t do – how to get things done.”
Alderman-at-Large Kirk Lindsey, City Clerk Dana Burcham, Democratic Executive Committee member Minnie Leeper, Ward 1 Alderman Charles Morris, Ward 2 Alderman Gail Senter and Ward 4 Alderman Larry Guess, all incumbents, won their races.
Iry Gladney and Marty Langly will run off May 21 in Ward 3.
A.D. Heard was elected as Nettleton’s first black police chief with 52 percent of the vote.
“I can’t count myself more than anyone else and I’m going to treat everyone like I treat myself. I am going to try to help the town grow,” he said.
Incumbent Jackie Wimberly did not seek re-election.

Smith gets Saltillo GOP nod
SALTILLO – Rex Smith took 78 percent of the vote in Saltillo’s Republican mayoral primary, defeating Paul Turner 515 to 149.
Steve Brooks advanced as the city’s only mayoral candidate in the Democratic primary. The two will meet in the June 4 general election.
Republican candidates for alderman advancing to the general election (in order of votes received) are Brad Woodcock, Donald Cullum, Scott Knight, Brett Pearce and Craig Sanders.
Democratic candidates advancing to the general election (in order of votes received) are Jewell Webb, Terry Glidewell, Billy Flanagan, Wayne Dixon and Danny McCarley.
From those 10 candidates, voters will select five aldermen in the general election.

James, Clark in Baldwyn runoff
BALDWYN – Incumbent Mayor Michael James received the most votes, with 552, in Baldwyn’s Democratic primary and will face Roslynn Clark Copeland, who received 474 votes, in the May 21 runoff. Jim Grisham finished third with 136 votes.
There will be a runoff between Lee Bowdry and Steve Scales for Ward 1 alderman.
Incumbent Alderman Richard Kohlheim won in Ward 3 and Ricky Massengill in Ward 4.
Incumbent Ward 2 Alderman Tom Nelson, incumbent Alderman-at-Large Jason McKay and City Clerk Nan Nanney were unopposed.
Police Chief Don Rowan and challenger Troy Agnew will have a runoff for the chief’s post.
Hallmark, Curtis in Shannon runoffSHANNON – Incumbent Mayor Ronnie Hallmark took 46 percent of the Democratic primary vote in Shannon but was forced into a May 21 runoff by Bill Curtis, a former mayor who received 30 percent.
Alderman-at-Large Carl Trice, Ward 1 Alderman Brian Thompson and Ward 4 Alderman Paul Lyles were unopposed.
Incumbent Alderman Joy McCord won in Ward 2.
Jack Ivy and James Oswalt will run off in Ward 3.
jb.clark@journalinc.com